All-star goalie Thatcher Demko and winger Conor Garland are staying in Vancouver, signing extensions with the Canucks on Tuesday.
Demko inked a three-year, $25.5-million US deal, while Garland signed a six-year, $36-million contract.
Both players are heading into the final season of five-year contracts and were set to become unrestricted free agents next summer.
Demko, 29, is coming off an injury-plagued 2024-25 campaign where he posted a 10-8-3 record with a .889 save percentage, a 2.90 goals-against average and one shutout.
The six-foot-four, 192-pound goalie from San Diego, Calif., was named a finalist for last year’s Vezina Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s top goaltender, after going 35-14-2 with a .918 save percentage and a 2.45 GAA during the 2023-204 campaign.
The performance helped Vancouver clinch first place in the Pacific Division and earn a spot in the playoffs.
Demko suffered an injury to the popliteus muscle in his left knee during Game 1 of the team’s first-round series against the Nashville Predators. He did not play again until Dec. 10.
“Thatcher is one of the top goalies in the National Hockey League and a key leader in our locker room,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement.
“Demmer is one of the hardest-working players on our team and gives our group great confidence when he takes the net. A complete package of size, strength, rebound control, and athletic ability, our players know that they have an opportunity to win each and every game he plays.”
Garland put up 50 points (19 goals, 31 assists) for the Canucks this past season and won gold with the U.S. at the men’s world hockey championship in May.
The 29-year-old winger from Scituate, Mass., has played the last four years in Vancouver after being acquired from the Arizona Coyotes alongside defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson in July 2021.
“Conor is a core member of our hockey team and a player who has taken on a bigger role with the club the past couple seasons,” Allvin said. “He competes hard every day, drives play on the ice, is relentless on the forecheck and is really tough to play against. Gars is an emerging leader in the group and works extremely hard to keep himself and the players around him accountable.”
Flames sign D-man Hanley to 2-year extension
The Calgary Flames have extended defenceman Joel Hanley’s contract by two years.
The deal announced Tuesday by the Flames carries an average annual value of US$1.75 million.
The 34-year-old from Keswick, Ont., played a career-high 53 games for Calgary last season.
Hanley contributed two goals and seven assists and was a career-best plus-12 while averaging 18 and a half minutes of ice time per game.
Calgary claimed the five-foot-11, 186-pound defenceman off waivers March 5, 2024.
Hanley, a left-handed shot, has five goals and 33 assists in 246 career NHL games with Calgary, Dallas, Arizona and Montreal.
His deal follows the Flames signing 25-year-old defenceman Kevin Bahl to a six-year, $32.1-million extension Saturday.
Habs trade Mailloux to Blues
The Montreal Canadiens traded defenceman Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues for forward Zack Bolduc on Tuesday before NHL free agency opened.
Mailloux produced 12 goals and 21 assists in 63 games with the American Hockey League’s Laval Rocket last season.
The 22-year-old right-shot blue-liner added two goals and two assists in seven games with the Canadiens in the NHL.
Bolduc had 19 goals and 17 assists in 72 games with the Blues last season.
The 22-year-old from Trois-Rivieres, Que., added one assist in seven playoff games.
Both players are entering the final season of their entry-level contracts.
